Alyssa Valdez has been there from the start of Philippine volleyball’s modern rise, and on Friday night, she once again saw how much the game she helped popularize has grown—this time through the lens of the 2026 Volleyball All-Star Showcase.
For the veteran superstar, the event inside a packed Candon City Arena was more than a star-studded exhibition. It was a living snapshot of a sport that has steadily deepened in talent, broadened its reach, and built a stronger sense of community with every passing season.
The atmosphere said as much. Fans filled the venue not just to cheer for individual favorites, but to celebrate volleyball itself—a shift Valdez believes reflects how far the sport has come in the country.
The All-Star Showcase also underscored the increasing balance between established names and rising standouts from both the Premier Volleyball League and Spikers’ Turf, a mix that highlighted the leagues’ expanding competitiveness and talent pool.
Valdez, long considered one of the faces of Philippine volleyball, now shares the spotlight with a new generation eager to carve out their own legacies. For her, that evolution is a welcome sight rather than a challenge to her stature.
“Nakakatuwa kasi napaka—‘yung players are quality talaga. Talagang marami tayong volleyball players, and I would say they are quality players,” said the Creamline star, who finished with 10 points as Team Heart defeated Team Hustle, 25-18, 18-25, 25-23, 25-17.
“That’s, I think, one thing that we can bank on moving forward in the next few years—na meron tayong volleyball community na susuportahan at meron tayong opportunity to have a career in volleyball,” she added.
With young stars continuing to emerge, Valdez believes the sport’s foundation is only getting stronger. She pointed to players like Bella Belen as part of a promising wave already stepping into leadership roles and challenging veterans to keep pace.
“I think it’s because, for sure, ‘yan sila Bella na isa sa mga magli-lead diyan sa younger generation, and sa amin din, nagiging inspirasyon namin ‘yung mga kabataan,” said the three-time MVP.
Beyond the competition and the showcase of talent, what resonated most for Valdez was the spirit of the event itself—the shared energy between players and fans, and the sense of unity that filled the arena.
“Pero ayun, I’m very, very happy, and sana—isa lang ‘yung wish ko talaga—magkaroon ng… we spread good vibes in the whole community on and off the court. Maraming salamat po, especially sa nagkaroon ng All-Star na ganito. Sana nakita ng lahat na good vibes and happy for everybody.”
